Carletonville Digest: April 2026 News Round-up
- Karen Scheepers
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
The month of April 2026 has been a busy one for the Merafong region. While our schools and athletes have been shining on the national stage, the community continues to face serious challenges with municipal finances, crumbling stadiums, and the ever-present threat of sinkholes. This digest brings together the key stories affecting Carletonville, Fochville, and Khutsong over the last 30 days.
Municipal Governance & Financial Crisis
Another Qualified Audit for Merafong
The Auditor-General, Tsakani Maluleke, has handed the Merafong City Local Municipality a qualified audit opinion for the second year in a row. The report highlighted systemic problems with the reliability of water and electricity billing, as well as "undisclosed irregular expenditure" totaling R9.8 million. The municipality remains in a "Rescue Phase" of its financial recovery plan, with collection rates for March 2026 dropping to just 59%, far below the target needed to stay afloat.
Salary Hikes and Bulk Debt
Despite the cash crisis, the council approved salary increases for top officials during a March 25 meeting. Executive Mayor Nozuko Best now earns R1,050,284 per year, while the Deputy Mayor and Speaker have seen their pay rise to R840,233. Opposition parties, including the DA and FF Plus, voted against the hikes, pointing out that the town owes R1.9 billion to Eskom and R1.5 billion to Rand Water.
New Tenders and Oversight
In an effort to keep services moving, the municipality issued several significant tenders this month:
Landfill Management: A three-year contract for the operations of the Carletonville landfill site.
Infrastructure Financing: A request for proposals for "off-balance sheet" financing for smart water and electrical meters.
Police Station Oversight: On April 10, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson conducted an oversight inspection of the illegally occupied Carletonville Police Station as part of "Operation Bring Back".
Infrastructure & Environmental Safety
Stadiums and Roadworks
Local sports facilities are in a dire state. The Gert van Rensburg Stadium in Fochville has been stripped by vandals and is now a mere "skeleton" of its former self. Meanwhile, work has stalled at the Popo Molefe Stadium in Kokosi due to payment disputes, leaving the pavilion and fencing in ruins. On the roads, SANRAL has been busy repairing hazardous potholes near Fochville, though the Greenspark road project remains delayed.
The Sinkhole Struggle & Floods
Geological instability remains the "silent enemy" of the region. In Khutsong, residents recently halted a "botched" sinkhole repair after discovering a leaking pipe was being buried underneath the fill. Following heavy downpours in late April, authorities also issued specialized flood safety tips, warning that the region's dolomitic soil creates unique risks compared to the rest of Gauteng.
Crime & Justice Watch
Operation Prosper & Illegal Mining
The SAPS conducted high-intensity operations this month. On April 20, "Operation Prosper" targeted illegal mining in the Carletonville district, resulting in significant arrests and equipment seizures. Nationwide, over 15,000 suspects were arrested in a single week of April for drug trafficking and violent crimes.
Local Crime Incidents
CBD Shooting: A suspect was arrested in the Carletonville CBD after a late-night shooting damaged several vehicles.
Blybank Attack: A couple was held captive this month as an armed gang stormed their home.
Job Scams: Police warned residents about a scam where a Kokosi teacher’s identity was used to trick job seekers.
Farm Murder Sentencing: Two men were finally sentenced for the 2017 Fochville farm murders after a nine-year legal wait.
School & Education Highlights
Academic Excellence & School Pride
Westfields Primary: William de la Harpe was named the Top Grade 6 Achiever for 2025.
Carleton Jones High: The school celebrated its Junior "Mr and Miss Valentine 2026," Lesego Ratlebyane and Kabelo Mokhethi.
Hoërskool Schoonspruit: JC Ferreira and Kaitline Cloete were crowned Mr. and Mej. SHS 2026.
Rockland Primary: The school said farewell to veteran teacher Mrs. Ralph, who retired after over 40 years of service.
Community Support
Sibanye-Stillwater was honored during an Appreciation Day at Mbulelo Primary School in Khutsong after donating a new sports facility and 50 laptops to the learners.
Sporting Excellence
The "Blougolf" Rises
Fochville athletes dominated the Gauteng Championships. Dewald Prinsloo won gold in the u/19 discus and bronze in shotput, earning his provincial colors and a spot in the SA Championships in Rustenburg. Other top performers included Megan Smith (hurdles) and Mieke Gerber (sprints).
Team Milestones
Laerskool Jongspan: Their chess teams achieved a "double victory" in regional matches.
Netball Grading: Several coaches from Laerskool Fochville were graded as district referees to improve local standards.
Hoërskool Fochville: Officially announced their first teams for the winter season on April 15.
Community & Cultural Life
Keep Merafong Alive
The 4th annual "Keep Merafong Alive" event took place on April 4 at the Carletonville Sports Complex. Local star Tlotli Violet shared the stage with national icons like Maphorisa and Kelvin Momo. The event created over 200 job opportunities for local vendors and security personnel.
Arts and Entertainment
League of Laggies: A new comedy platform launched in Carletonville on April 27, featuring top West Rand comedians and live music.
Resistance Festival: Local artists attended workshops ahead of the main festival at Constitution Hill, which featured Cassper Nyovest and Nasty C.
Dollar Thugs: This rising music group from Khutsong Extension 3 continues to make waves in the local entertainment scene.
Key Figures at a Glance
Category | Detail |
Municipal Debt | R3.4 Billion (R1.9bn to Eskom, R1.5bn to Rand Water). |
Water Capacity | 43.75% reported on 7 April. |
Fuel Relief | R3.00 per litre emergency tax cut effective 1 April. |
Audit Status | Second consecutive qualified audit opinion. |
In summary, April 2026 has been a month of significant contrasts for Carletonville and its neighbours. While the community celebrates individual athletic triumphs and long-awaited justice in the courts, the underlying issues of municipal financial stability and infrastructure decay remain a heavy burden.
As we move into the winter months, the resilience of our local schools, community leaders, and artists continues to be the backbone of the region, ensuring that the spirit of Merafong stays alive despite the many challenges ahead.
Got a scoop, a success story, or some local news? We’d love to hear it!
Email your stories to guy@thegotoguy.co.za, and the Go-To Guy team will get in touch to help you share it with the community.
🇿🇦🗞️🏆🏘️
Comments